Poor denizens can again avail free meals in the coal City of the district. A temporary Mukhyamantri Dal Bhat Yojna centre was launched on Monday at three places one at Bokaro Thermal near railway station, second at gate no-4 in Jarandih while third opened at old BDO office Phusro. While four other Mukhyamantri Dal Bhat Yojna were opened at Chatrochati, Kodwatard, Sadam market and Gomia bank more in Gomia block of the district during lockdown period in view of Coronavirus pandemic.

Block Development Officer Praveen Chaudhary along with CO Manoj Kumar and Inspector Umesh Kumar Thakur jointly launched the scheme again at Bermo by sharing the meals with the common man. Dal Bhat centres were closed since April last year after the Central Government denied providing rice at subsidised rate.

Each centre managed by a team of four to five women members, serves a menu comprising rice, soya-bean potato vegetable or chana with dal, green chilly and salt.

The BDO said the plan unveiled by Chief Minister Soreon started for the benefit of poor people. “We hope the scheme will no more face lacunas like shortage of rice or any other grocery items,” added the BDO.

According to Bokaro DC Mukesh Kumar over 31 Dal Bhat Centres in the all blocks of districts would also be opened soon. “We have sent directions to all the concerned block officials on opening the Dal Bhat Centres,” Kumar added.

Chaudhary said the Dal Bhat Kendra would be opened from 10 am to 4 pm. Staffs begin the meal preparation from 7 am. However, provision of clean drinking water seems doubtful in these centres. Customers were seen drinking the tap water collected in a plastic drum.